lantgreen

Remnants of the Past

"Suit yourself, if you change your mind the offer is still up," Marlin frowned to himself though it wasn't visible. He had no intentions that night than to just drink his thoughts away, it helped him remain 'balanced' in his head so he could use his fighting method without risk of self harm. Plus he wouldn't have to think on those of his past, triggered memories from things around him, though he hid this from everyone. Drinking wasn't just a form of fun entertainment, it was his prescription. Luckily controlling his aura to enhance the abilities of his liver to keep himself from dying of alcohol poisoning was a bonus. Marlin caught her glancing down at her bags, he suspected that she didn't want to be there. Downing the rest of his old whiskey from his glass and showing no signs of drunkenness, he spoke calmly and rather cheerful, "You don't ever wanna kick back and get away from all the stress, all the problems of the world, even for just a few hours?" He enjoyed her company, even if it was far from friendship, sitting at a bar alone wasn't any fun and he would hate to see her go, "Everyone needs a break at some point, eases the pressure."

Remnants of the Past

Marlin sank into the stool a bit more, getting comfortable as he knew he wasn't going to be moving anytime soon. When she said she ate a part of him was glad that she took care of herself, not that he didn't believe she wouldn't but he hated hearing that people don't eat. While he was taking his old liquor at a slower pace he noticed that her glass was getting lower and lower until it was empty. He couldn't help but laugh, "That good huh? And yeah I ate, I was asking more for your sake, if you wanted a snack I wouldn't mind getting it for you." After licking her lips and setting the empty glass her same attitude returned. A sigh left his mouth, he was rather disappointed that she couldn't relax for just the night, a time where she wouldn't belittle him. "I would assume you don't wanna get blasted but would you like another glass?"

Remnants of the Past

"If it's one thing I know, it's drinking," Marlin smirked to himself as he watched her grab her newly presented glass and bring it to her lips. He took another sip of his whiskey, this time a bit bigger and savoring the flavor of his for a bit before swallowing. Marlin watched Diana sip from the luxurious and aged old wine. Her face flushed red and she nearly peeped out something, he took that as a sign of surprise, she had no idea what she was drinking. Marlin enjoyed this side of her, seeing her that wasn't always strict and hard on things. Though it ended quickly as she caught her bearings again and spoke to him with gratitude. He was glad that she liked it, he would have been disappointed otherwise. "I thought you would like it, you can have a glass on me anytime, as long as I'm here," he brought his glass to his lips, downing the rest of the glass this time rather than just sipping it. Setting the empty glass on the bar got the attention of the tender once more, "Bring up the old the stuff," with that said he set more lien as the the man lifted up an old bottled that appeared to be a few centuries old and pouring it carefully into a glass.

"Gonna be an expensive night?" the man asked.

"Yeah just keep my tab open, Beacon gave me a couple heavy checks so I'm set," with those words he looked over to Diana, "Have you eaten at all today?"

Remnants of the Past

"I just came to drink, why else would I be here," Marlin responded. He realized by her neglecting to look at him that she still wanted nothing to do with him. He took a sip from his glass before glancing at the back counter of the bar spotting a bottle of wine that was opened and set aside, signs of recent use. By the name he knew what kind it was and it matched the color of her glass before she finished it. "Alamos huh, guessing you just went with what was pricey," he spotted her putting the money down. Like she simply bought the glass, savored it lightly but didn't get anything from it, or so didn't really react. Marlin got the tender's attention, "Glass of Chateau please," he wasn't much of a wine drinker but he knew his stuff. Placing the lien on the table and sliding a small cyan dust crystal with it, a common tip and payment between the bar and Marlin, his reputation granting perks. He paid for the single glass as it was presented in front of her in a special kind of glass that was not of the norm. "Relax, I'm not tryin' anything funny, you're in my place of business and I'm gonna make sure my compatriots get the best," he pointed to the glass, "This is top shelf stuff, they say a single glass of this makes you feel ethereal, I say enough glasses of anything gets you shit faced and that's close enough," he laughed to himself before taking another sip from his drink.

Remnants of the Past

Eve's response was not a surprise to Marlin, he had gotten that a lot and was very used to people telling him he drank too much, he didn't care. Just as those words left her mouth the room seemed to take action immediately. His plate left him, Yoki finished his sandwich, and Eve was back out the door to finish up the boy's new room. All before he could get a word in. Marlin sighed lightly to himself before leaving the table, he glanced over to the Blonde Fox, "Thanks for the food man," then popped his head out the same door Eve left through, "I'll probably catch up with you tomorrow or something, just don't leave town without me," he figured if Diana got back to the group before he did she might convince them to just go a man down.

With those words he headed for the front door tossing his hand towards Yoki, "See ya later guys," before bouncing outside. It seemed to be getting dark, faster than he expected but the sunlight was still plenty on the streets. Would only last for about an hour or so. He threw some aura in his feet, enhancing his muscles, but only small fraction simply to increase his speed so his steps were a bit bigger but nothing out of ordinary. He knew of a great place in town that he used to drink at, served just about everything and it wasn't always about the alcohol.

Upon arrival he stepped through door, dropped his aura, and took in a deep breath through the nose. The same smell he always enjoyed. He looked around seeing some decorations changed and others still there that were older than him. Approaching the bar he waved to the tender who recognized him from the past, "Marlin, been awhile where ya been?" With that said the man proceeded to open a fresh bottle of Marlin's favorite liquor then glanced down the line to see if his normal seat was open, it was occupied. "Uh sorry bud, some redhead has your seat tonight, want me to ask her to move or you gonna go for the bigger cushion," a wink leaving his face.

Marlin waved and nodded at the old aquiantance before stating, "Work, been hired by Beacon for a job so I'll be around." He scanned the room seeing some of the TV's before reaching back on the counter to grab his fresh glass of whiskey. When the bartender mentioned his seat taken he looked over to see who it was, "Shit, wasn't expecting her," it was Diana and there was no escaping now. He had already paid for the drink and he wasn't going to waste, besides this was his favorite bar, he wasn't gonna let her kick him out of it. "Uh no it's fine, I know her, sort of." He left a small bill on the bar as a tip before heading over to the soldier. He took a seat next to her while setting his glass down, "Ya know, this is the last place I'd expect to find you," spotting her own glass of wine he figured she had good taste and wasn't exactly here to get fucked up.

Remnants of the Past

Marlin listened to the story while stuffing his face with his meal, it was definitely interesting and something he did not expect to come from such a man. "Man if I had a story like that I wouldn't shut up," truth was he did have a story. As tragic as it was he didn't like bringing it up, in fact he never told anybody kept himself in the dark about it. It was the last night he was ever close with someone. With a new team he can make new friends but he wasn't sure how his past would effect things later on. "Even so, it was still funny," he let out a small chuckle as Eve said he used to tell it better. He was just about done with his plate but he at least had some manners so he stuck where he was with the others till they finished. "I think I'm gonna go out tonight, probably get drunk to be honest," he wasn't ashamed of his habits, he enjoyed drinking and feeling the buzz not functioning properly, though he wasn't a fan of blacking out so he usually kept to a limit.

Remnants of the Past

The sweet smell of chicken filled the air as Marlin was handed his plate, "Thanks man, smells great," he smiled. Taking the sandwich in his hands he took a bite and chewed slowly, savoring the many flavors, a bit of a kick to it but not much, he could tell Yoki knew his spices. "This is really good, I could eat a whole bucket full of this." He took a bigger bite before aggressively nodding as Eve asked Yoki to tell the story, he was anxious to hear how a man of such a demeanor learned how to cook.

Remnants of the Past

'Pal' rang through his head a few a times, Marlin never had some one call him that unless it was a rude remark at a bar or something, never in a friendly manner like Yoki did. He kept his emotions quiet for the instance while Eve and Yoki conversed. During their conversation Marlin couldn't help but think about someone, a faunus and once a close friend to him, something that Yoki was approaching. His attitude changed at that moment and he couldn't help but hold a discomforted look on his face. Eve stated that Yoki always made the best food and he perked up a bit, "Well I can't wait to try it then, haven't had a solid meal in weeks."

Remnants of the Past

Marlin was rather surprised that Yoki had agreed to this so quickly, considering their first contact with each other. The fox even pushed it a step further saying that even if the team thing didn't work out they would still help. Marlin never had someone he could rely on like this and it took a couple seconds for him to process. This also meant that Yoki would be in danger with Marlin's search, not he wasn't when chasing the top hat. He couldn't help but smile a bit, "Really? I didn't think you would be up to honestly, forgive me for judging," he self reflected on why he thought in such a manner and reconsidered who Yoki truly was, "It's a deal, I should probably tell you though, the one I'm is for is-" Eve cut in with an obnoxious laugh and shout.

"Heh, if she set you up it seems she's got you wrapped tight around her finger," he laughed a little bit before grabbing the can of pineapples and sliding it down the bar towards Eve's location. Though they haven't been talking for long, he was hoping food would almost be ready, he wasn't going to push Yoki about it. "Everything all set up for the kid?" he asked Eve curious about her efforts while she was gone.

Remnants of the Past

Marlin sighed understanding the situation at hand, now knowing why Yoki had such a strong interest in the man that seemed to jump up in every scene of their past missions, he had more respect and support for the Blonde Fox. Though watching him tense up and nearly burst in anger, he could tell he was passionate about this. Marlin let a silence fall about the room, an unintentional respect for the dead. Before it got awkward he spoke, "I understand," there was no point in apologizing, he could tell he's heard it enough times to write a book, "I've lost two people very close to me in my life, one's gone and I'm still looking for the other," he was glad that he was able to relate to him in some way. It allowed a form of bonding between the two but trust still needed to be built. Marlin thought for a moment, the smell of the food filling his nose lightly keeping him distracted, but it was a good thing because he wouldn't over think things. Being apart of an actual team for the first time brought out parts of him he hadn't seen in awhile. Offering Eve his personal Dust Crystals, when normally he would keep them to himself, he had started to become more selfless as he spent time with the team. "I could help ya know," offering a helping hand, "if this team thing continues to work out maybe," he paused for a moment, "we could help each other."